The charges stem from the thefts of eight vehicles stolen in July and August from along Route 222 in Brecknock, East Cocalico, Manheim and West Earl townships, Route 283 in Mount Joy Township, and Route 30 in East Lampeter Township, police said.

Mercado, an employee of
J&J Towing and Auto Repair in Reading, was initially arrested in September after police said he used a company truck to haul
off disabled cars and trucks from along Route 30 and Route 222 in
Lancaster and Berks counties. He was charged with two counts of theft and two counts of operating a chop shop.

The vehicles were towed to a salvage yard in Berks County where they were shredded as scrap metal, police said.

Authorities said they tracked down Mercado in the auto
thefts when he towed off a decoy vehicle police had
placed on Route 222.